Two on a Train- chapter 9
The family spent some more time in Angela's room before heading back to see Mona. No changes had occurred since this morning and she remained stable. By late afternoon, Tony and Angela were able to convince the kids to head back to Connecticut for the night and come back in the morning. Tony was able to sneak into the shower and change into fresh clothing for the first time in what felt like forever but was in reality only a day and a half. Angela convinced him to go to a local restaurant for takeout for the two of them for dinner. Tony didn't want to leave but reluctantly agreed, thinking having some fresh air would be good. He returned to her room a short while later with a bag of takeout, when he heard voices in her room.
"Angela can I come in?" he asked from the doorway.
"Yes Tony it's just the doctors" said Angela as Tony walked in the room.
"But I feel fine. Are you sure it's an infection?" asked Angela, as the color drained from Tony's face.
"Infection? Angela what's wrong? You were fine before I left! I knew I shouldn't have left!" he shouted as he came next to Angela on the bed.
"The leg is showing the signs of an early infection. The nurse checked your temperature and it's 99.9F. While that's technically only a slight fever, I don't want to take any chances. I'm ordering IV antibiotics and an anti inflammatory just to be safe. Infections are pretty common after surgery unfortunately but there's no reason to be alarmed at this time. I don't want you getting out of bed I'm afraid for at least twenty four hours. I'll arrange with the nurse your new care orders and restrictions. This will push back your discharge at least a day or more I'm afraid" said the doctor.
"She's… she's going to be okay though right? It doesn't matter when she's discharged as long as she's okay" said Tony with a renewed sense of panic and worry in his voice.
"Yes she's going to be fine. We caught the infection early and are going to treat it aggressively with IV antibiotics. I'll be back in a few hours to check in on you" said the doctor as he walked out of the room.
"I should have never left you Angela! Bad things happen when I leave…" said Tony as he did his best to keep his voice steady, his tears from falling.
"Tony this had nothing to do with you being here or not! The doctor says it happens after surgery, especially since this was a serious injury. I'm going to be fine I promise! Come here…" she motioned to him to come join her on the edge of the bed. She pulled him close to her and wrapped her arm around him. The only sound that could be heard was the soft, muffled sounds of their cries. Slowly, they pulled back from one another, Angela leaning in for a gentle kiss.
"I'm sorry Angela. I just… I can't lose you… I love you so much…" he said as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
"I know Tony and I love you too. More than I ever thought I could love someone. I'm going to be okay! How about we eat some of that dinner you bought that's getting cold over there? I'm getting hungry" she said with a forced smile.
"Okay Angela. You need your strength…" he said as he walked over and brought the food to her bedside. He set up the food on her tray table and pulled it over for her to eat before setting himself up. He knew she'd scold him if he didn't eat, so he forced down some food despite being anything but hungry. Angela also seemed to be forcing down the food but managed to eat a good amount of it. He could tell her fever was getting a bit worse and went to find the nurse to get her IV medications.
"Please nurse my wife needs the IV medications and something for her fever. I think it's getting worse" he said.
"I'm sorry sir we are understaffed and we've had an influx of trauma patients transferred up here. Your wife is next on my schedule. I will be there as soon as I can" she said.
"Okay thank you. Please just make sure she is next…" he said as he walked back to Angela's room.
"The nurse will be in here soon. They got overrun with patients. How are you feeling?" he asked with a worried voice.
"Slightly worse than before- mostly just chilled but otherwise I'm fine. I think you should really go check on Mother" said Angela.
"I'll call up once they bring your IV medication in to get an update. They know where we are if there's anything to be updated on. I'm not leaving you Angela, not until you are feeling better or someone else is here" said Tony.
"Alright Tony but I'm really fine" she said as he walked over and put another blanket over her lap. He sat on the side of her bed, allowing her to curl into him as he grabbed the remote for the television. He turned it on and found a show for them to watch. After about fifteen minutes, the nurse came in and administered her medication and set up her IV.
"Excuse me, is this Angela Bower's room?" a voice asked from the doorway. Angela answered yes as Cornelius and Archie walked in the door carrying two large bouquets of flowers.
"Uncle Archie! Uncle Cornelius! What are you doing here?" asked Angela.
"Jonathan called us late last night. I was able to drive down and picked up Cornelius after he finished up at the hotel and we headed over here. How are you feeling? How's Mony? I mean Mona?" asked Archie.
"I'm doing okay. I had surgery for my broken leg- that was my worst injury. Unfortunately I have developed an infection, which is why I have this IV medication. I've got a slight fever but I really don't feel too bad. Mother… Mother had more severe injuries. She's had two surgeries to repair a broken pelvis and has had internal bleeding on her brain. Her… her heart has stopped a few times but she's a fighter and has defied the odds, coming back to us" said Angela as she held back tears.
"Oh my goodness… is she… is she going to make it?" asked Cornelius.
"The next few days are going to be critical. They've placed her in a medical coma to allow her body to recover. Angela, since they are here, how about I go and see about an update for Mona? Then I'll come back and you all can go and visit Mona" said Tony. He gave her a quick kiss and headed out the door.
"You sure you are okay Angela?" asked Cornelius.
"Yes I'm fine. A little setback today but otherwise I'm fine. Tony has been taking great care of me and the kids have been up most of yesterday and today. I'm just worried about Mother. I don't know what I'll do without her" she said as the tears could no longer be contained.
"Mona is tough as nails! She's going to pull through this! I remember when we were kids. She'd bully us around all the time- it was her way or the highway! She will be back to her redheaded, feisty self in no time! Any good looking doctors taking care of her? If so, I give it a week before she's secured a date!" chuckles Archie.
"What can we do for you and Mona? Do you need anything?" asked Cornelius.
"We are doing fine right now. The kids have brought some things from home for both of us. Tony's been able to get food for some meals… the hospital food is something to be desired!" she laughed.
"Well don't worry about meals for tomorrow. We will have all your meals for you delivered right here for you, Tony and the kids. So if you don't mind me asking … are you and Tony a couple? I know Mona and I aren't as close as we could be but I'm pretty sure she would have hired a personal messenger to give me that news! When we spent Christmas together a few years ago, we talked about the two of you getting together one day. She wanted it to happen so badly!" laughed Archie.
"Yes, she's definitely been our biggest, loudest, not so subtle cheerleader all these years. Tony and I only took that next step in being honest with each other on how we felt about one another since this all happened. Nothing has been defined yet in our relationship. Mother… she doesn't even know we are together. I… I can't wait to tell her…" she said wistfully.
They continued to catch up on their lives- Angela's work, the hotel business for Cornelius and life up in Maine for Archie. Soon Tony came back with news that Mona continued to be stable, no progress but no setbacks either. Cornelius and Archie said their goodbyes until tomorrow and headed up to see Mona.
"That was a nice surprise! I'm glad they came up to see Mona and of course see you. Are they coming back tomorrow?" asked Tony as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Yes they are at some point. They are sending food for all of our meals tomorrow! How did we get so lucky Tony to have such wonderful family and friends?" she asked.
"It helps that our family is one of the very best! And of course we wouldn't be what we are without the most beautiful, talented, smartest and most beautiful head of our family" smiled Tony as he lifted her hand to his lips. She blushed at the compliment and gently squeezed his hand.
"Thank you Tony but I think we all know the head of our family is Mother. I might be her boss at work, but she rules the roost around here! Like she always loves to remind us, she was the one who found you, convinced me to hire you. She's the glue in this family" she said with a slight smile.
"All the more reason why she's going to pull through! You think she's going to trust the four of us not to screw this family up? Dream on!" laughed Tony.
"I hope you're right. I have to try and stop thinking about any other outcome other than her coming through this" said Angela.
"Exactly Angela. We have to keep positive and just try and be there for each other. Now, you need to get some rest. That leg isn't going to heal without it" he said as he helped her lie back, helping her get comfortable. He managed to squeeze himself onto the bed, allowing Angela enough room to cuddle into him. He checked her for a fever and was relieved that she felt cool to the touch. Tony turned down the lights and soon they were both asleep.
The next morning, they were woken up by the nurses who came to check her wound and replace the IV bag. Angela's fever returned in the middle of the night but hadn't come back since she was given more medication. The nurse told them her wound looked like it was healing and the infection wasn't spreading, but had to be confirmed with the doctor.
As promised, breakfast was delivered, enough for at least ten people. Thankfully, Samantha and Jonathan arrived soon after the delivery and were able to help them eat a good deal of the food. It took some convincing, but Tony and Angela talked Jonathan into going with Tony to visit Mona. He was quite shaken up seeing Angela hooked up to the IV and to learn about the infection. Samantha offered to stay with Angela.
"So did you two sleep any better than you did the night before?" asked Angela.
"I think so. We at least made it to our own beds this time. I didn't hear him get up during the night so I'm assuming he slept through the night. He's still really worried about you and Mona. I mean we all are- I can see it on Dad's face too" said Samantha.
"Yes this family doesn't hide their emotions very well… well minus Mother that is…" said Angela with a slight smile.
"The doctor gave me good news though that the infection is healing. Hopefully this doesn't lengthen my stay here any longer than it needs to- I just want to be home in my own bed" she said.
"Soon hopefully! And then we can figure out how we are going to best help you out and of course Mona when she comes home" said Samantha.
"Absolutely! We will make it work- we always have and always will" said Angela as she reached for Samantha's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"So Jonathan and I were talking… well more like comparing notes! Since you are no longer with Andy and Dad finally came to his senses about Kathleen… does this mean you two are finally getting together? I mean we couldn't help but see the kiss last night before we left. Is it true? she asked with kid-like excitement. Angela had to stifle a laugh.
"So your father and I are in love with each other. We have been for years but it took this situation for us to voice it out loud, pushing past our fears and insecurities about our differences. I don't know yet what this means exactly… are we dating, do we get engaged and married… so much is still up in the air with everything going on but the one thing that we both know is that neither of us wants to take anything for granted anymore. We will get to where we are supposed to be, that I promise…" said Angela.
The two continued to talk more about their relationship, catching up on Samantha's love life and school. Meanwhile, on the way up to see Mona, Tony and Jonathan were having a similar conversation.
"You know Jonathan I can't tell you not to worry, that would be unrealistic and frankly I'd like to not be considered a hypocrite… but I'm here to make sure both your mom and Mona are being taken care of… I won't promise you everything is going to be okay with Mona, but I'm going to make sure I do everything I can for both of them" said Tony.
"I know Tony and I could never find the words to thank you for all you do for all of us, but especially my mom. Despite everything that's going on, she seems… calm, even happy, and I know that's because of you. Sam and I were talking last night and we were wondering, especially after that kiss, if you two we're finally together…" said Jonathan with some hope in his voice.
"Well… we love each other Jonathan and with all that has happened, we realized it was time to tell one another, not waste anymore time putting off how we feel. If something had happened to your mom and she never knew how much I loved her, how in love I've been with her for years, I'd never forgive myself. I don't know what is going to happen yet with things the way they are right now, but we will make sure as soon as we know, we will let the both of you know too…" said Tony as they approached Mona's room. A doctor was coming out of the room as they were walking in.
"Oh good, I was going to call down to your wife's room to update you but this saves time. Your mother in law's blood pressure is rising and we aren't sure why. We don't think there is anymore internal bleeding. It might just be a result of the trauma but we are giving her medications to try and regulate it. For now, there's no other changes. If things continue to stabilize, we would like to try and bring her out of the coma by the end of the week, but that's a big if, assuming she continues to stabilize. I will be in touch in the next few hours" said the doctor.
Tony tried to push down the feeling of dread that was rising up inside of him, mostly for Jonathan's benefit. He could see the renewed look of terror in Jonathan's eyes. He put his arm around Jonathan and walked together into the room. He could have sworn she looked paler than when he last saw her, but he couldn't be sure.
"Hey Mona! It's Jonathan and Tony! We hope you enjoyed your visit with your brothers last night! They actually sent us all food today- enough for a small army! It would be great if you could wake up soon- you know how much I hate to waste food!" he said with a forced laugh. They engaged in conversation, both trying to shake the feeling that something bad was on the horizon.